Last Updated:
Divya made history by becoming the first Indian champion of the FIDE Women’s World Cup, defeating Koneru Humpy 2.5-1.5. She also became India’s 88th Grandmaster.
Divya Deshmukh received a champion’s welcome back home in Nagpur (Photo Credit: Nagpur Today)
It was nothing short of a champion’s celebration in Nagpur on Wednesday night, as the newly-crowned GM Divya Deshmukh made her way back home after her historic outing at the FIDE Women’s World Cup.
Divya etched her name into chess history, defeating fellow Indian compatriot Koneru Humpy with a score of 2.5-1.5 in the tiebreaks of the FIDE Women’s World Cup Final to become the first-ever Indian champion of the esteemed tournament on Monday.
Nagpur broke into a frenzy of celebration as the youngster flew back home on Wednesday, with processions galore honouring Divya’s historic win.
Divya received a grand reception in Nagpur, with her relatives and fans arriving much in advance to receive her.
“My parents have played the biggest role in my career. Without them I would not have reached here. Credit to my family, my parents, my sister, and my first coach, Rahul Joshi sir. He always wanted me to become the Grandmaster, and this is for him,” said Divya, about Joshi, who passed away in 2020 at just 40 years of age.
“My mother and father had a bigger role to play but definitely my whole family, my sister Arya Deshmukh, my grandmother, grandfather…I don’t think whatever I will say will be enough (for my parents).”
Divya received $50,000 as prize money on top of the coveted trophy. But, most importantly, with her win, she earned the nod to become a Grandmaster — thereby becoming India’s 88th GM in chess history.
She now also holds the title of Grandmaster, only the fourth Indian woman to do so, joining her opponent on the day, Humpy, Dronavalli Harika, and R Vaishali.
Usually, becoming a GM requires a player to win three GM norms and achieve a Standard (Classical) FIDE rating of 2500 or above. However, players can also do it by winning certain elite competitions, including the FIDE Women’s World Cup.
An emotional Divya couldn’t hold back her tears following her victory, as she reflected on her journey to becoming a GM.
“I need time to process it (win). I think it was fate, me getting the Grandmaster title this way, because before this (tournament) I didn’t even have one (GM) norm, and now I am the Grandmaster,” she said after the match.
“It definitely means a lot, but there’s a lot more to achieve. So, hopefully, this is just the start.”
Elaborating on her future plans, Divya said she would take a break and then compete in the Grand Swiss, to be held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan from September 2-16.
“I will take some rest this month and will play Grand Swiss next month.”
With her win, Divya also secured a spot in next year’s Candidates tournament, which will decide who will take on world champion Ju Wenjun of China in the Women’s World Championship.
(with PTI inputs)
After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term…Read More
After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term… Read More
view comments
- First Published:
Read More
